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The Mine Dust Diseases Victims Group will hold forums in Rockhampton, Mackay and Moranbah next week to inform current and former coal miners about debilitating and often deadly Black Lung coal mine dust diseases. Victims Group advocate Jim Pearce said 105 current and retired Queensland coal industry workers have now been diagnosed with industrial lung […]

Victims of coal mine dust diseases and their supporters will today rally and attempt to meet with the CEO of BHP and other senior executives at the company’s plush Melbourne headquarters. The group is campaigning for the establishment of a victims’ support fund to help people with mine dust diseases and their families cope. Mine […]

Over 100 Queenslanders have now been diagnosed with mine dust lung diseases such as black lung and silicosis, according to the latest figures from CFMEU Mining & Energy. CFMEU Mining & Energy Queensland District President Steve Smyth said the true number of victims was probably much higher due to poor processes for diagnosing workers. “Reaching […]

Victims of coal mine dust diseases and their supporters rallied outside BHP’S Brisbane office on Friday. The group is campaigning for the establishment of a victims support fund to help people with mine dust diseases and their families cope. The Mine Dust Victims Group has written to the CEO of BHP, Andrew Mackenzie, seeking the […]

Mine dust victims and supporters tried to meet with Queensland Member of Parliament Michelle Landry at her electorate office in Rockhampton but she would not come out to meet with them. The group were kicking off their campaign to ask politicians to support an industry fund that will provide care and support to victims of […]

The CFMEU Mining and Energy Division Queensland District President today supported the Parliamentary Committee’s interim findings of the Inquiry into black lung disease and said it looked forward to seeing recommendations that reflect the seriousness of the evidence. “Queensland workers will eagerly anticipate the recommendations which flow from this report,” Mr Smyth said. “This damning report […]

This month marks one-and-a-half years since retired miner Keith Stoddart has been diagnosed with Black Lung. “Looking back on my last photo my wife said look how much I have aged,” said Mr Stoddart. “I see myself in the mirror every day but didn’t notice how far I have gone downhill. I’m coughing up blood […]

The CFMEU Mining and Energy Division said today that the latest case of Black Lung disease in an underground mine in Central Queensland highlights the need for urgent industry action to support victims and families affected. The worker, who wishes to remain unidentified, represents the 19th confirmed case of the disease. Stephen Smyth, CFMEU M&E […]

Black Lung victims throughout Queensland will have their say as the public hearings for the State’s Parliamentary Inquiry into Black Lung disease commence in regional Queensland this week. The committee will visit mining communities in Collinsville, Moranbah, Dysart, Middlemount and Mackay. CFMEU Mining and Energy Division Queensland District President, Stephen Smyth, said the inquiry would […]

Today the CFMEU Mining and Energy Division called on Ian Macfarlane, the incoming Chief Executive of the Queensland Resources Council (QRC), to mark his first day on the job by committing to adequately support Black Lung disease victims in Queensland. CFMEU M&E QLD District President, Stephen Smyth said last week’s call by the QRC for […]